A bachelor's degree in psychology can be a great stepping stone toward a rewarding career or further graduate study. Note the core classes required for each degree, and then look at the electives and subject-matter courses that are required. All clinical material on this site is peer reviewed by one or more clinical psychologists or other qualified mental health professionals. Read our. The sophistication of our scientific methodology is unquestionable. in Psychology, Ⓒ 2020 About, Inc. (Dotdash) — All rights reserved. Students who choose this degree may also be required to complete a foreign language component. There are actually two kinds of associate degrees in psychology, which fall right in … There are a few course differences that you should be aware of. While many jobs in psychology require a bachelor’s or graduate degree, an associate’s in psychology … The B.A. Associate level psychology programs may grant an Associate of Science (AS), Associate of Arts (AA), or Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree.. Programs are highly variable. You are interested in taking a wider range of humanities courses including foreign language classes. Then there’s the issue of apparently conflicting findings. Is an Associate Degree in Psychology Program for You? All Rights Reserved. If you venture toward the shelves in a library that hold only the “abstracts” of psychology studies and experiments, you’re likely to be quite overwhelmed. The Associate in Arts (AA), Emphasis in Psychology provides the first two years of a four-year curriculum for students who wish to specialize in psychological sciences or are preparing for … But I feel an obligation to have reliable, effective tools at my disposal when a client is paying me hard-earned money for professional guidance as opposed to just chatting with a friend or venting in a support group. But the practice of psychology as a professional discipline is more than simply the mechanical implementation of proven scientific techniques. While one degree is not necessarily better than another, some educational experts suggest that students who earn a B.S. The field of psychology encompasses a vast area of study and practice. So, good clinicians not only have to stay abreast of the research, they have to bring some common sense and seasoned skepticism to their analysis of the research findings in order to incorporate only sound, reliable, and proven methods into the practice of their art. The two options are often very similar, but there are a few key differences of which students should be aware. Then it takes future findings to debunk any of the unwarranted claims of the previous research. At most schools, fields considered to be a social science—for example, psychology, sociology, and history—fall under the Associate of Arts (AA) degree. However, the interpretation of results of our scientific investigations and the correct application of principles derived from them are often suspect. Landrum, RE. A B.A in psychology can be a great choice if you are interested in going straight to work after graduation or if you are thinking of pursuing a graduate program in something like law or counseling. The Associate's Degree program in Psychology is a 60 credit program offered by the Department of Social Sciences that consists of courses specifically in the psychology … Sign up to find out more in our Healthy Mind newsletter. the scientific “purity” of much of the research undertaken throughout the various behavioral science fields is also much debated. The Psychology Transfer Pathway Degree offers students a powerful option: the opportunity to complete an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences degree with course credits that directly transfer to designated Psychology … This specific article was originally published by Dr George Simon, PhD on July 23, 2009 and was last reviewed or updated by Dr Greg Mulhauser, Managing Editor on March 14, 2011. https://counsellingresource.com/features/2009/07/23/psychology-art-or-science/. If, however, you are thinking about committing to further graduate study in psychology, a Bachelor of Science in psychology may be the better choice. So, I’ve had to use both my experience and knowledge to help myself become a truly artful scientist. Psychologists themselves are often overwhelmed not only keeping up with all the latest findings but also incorporating those findings into the “art” of their practice. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. Regent's Associate of Science in Psychology degree will increase your understanding of the human mind while helping to position you for a meaningful career. MDC's coursework for the associate in arts covers the science and mathematics subjects … The narrow focus of some of the research can easily make a person wonder what relevance it could possibly have to better understanding the human condition. Some of my colleagues have sometimes given me the impression that they chose one of the mental health fields to escape the rigor and regimentation of the more “hard” sciences and to feel more free to do as they as they felt inclined as long as they “really cared about” their clients. Associate in Applied Science … option usually involves taking fewer courses in psychology and more classes in subjects outside of the major field area. Psychology studies this complexity. Popular article series in Dr George Simon’s specialist areas include: Dr Simon has also published hundreds of replies to questions at our sister site Ask the Psychologist. Psychology’s base of scientific information is constantly changing and expanding. and the Bachelor of Science (B.S.). For students who have a keen interest in psychology but also want to explore other disciplines. As its name suggests, the Associate of Science (A.S.) degree will gear you towards math and science-related careers while the Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree pretty much encompasses all other fields. Other schools that offer an AA include: Purdue University Global; Southern New Hampshire University ; Earning an Associate of Science Degree. 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